 We all have great roots, established firmly through many generations. Our family tree goes deep and far, nourishing our current age with a history that forms our heritage. What we look like, how we act, and the values we uphold are developed from our roots.
"So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." - Colossians 2:6-7 Beyond our families, though, are roots that are grounded in Jesus ... if we let them be. Do we water these roots so we can thrive? Do we feed these roots so we can grow? Do we stimulate these roots so they can strengthen us? Do we thank our Lord for gracing us with these roots that enable us to fix our faith and trust in Him?  Pain. We cringe when we hear it. We cringe when we feel it. Our pain, while deeply personal and intense to us, is nothing compared to the pain the Lord suffered FOR US.
Let us offer up all of our pain, from the little aches to the big hurts, in thanksgiving for the love that the Lord showed for us. Thank you Jesus.  "He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit." - John 15:2
Pruning: sometimes subtle trimming, sometimes harsh and severe blows; shaping a shrub to make it fuller, or salvaging a tree from destruction. Pruning can take all forms and can serve a number of purposes. Should we chop down the whole tree, or help it to survive? Fortunately, God is a kind and compassionate pruner, working with us to shape us into a better image of Himself, capable of producing more fruit. Gentle Jesus, give me the grace to submit to your pruning, so that more of your glory will fill my life. Cut out the bad parts in me, and the good parts that get in the way, so that I can better follow your will. Amen.  I saw this sign posted by a lake and wondered if it pertained to me! After all, we are an exotic species, wonderfully made by God, aren't we?
"... I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works!" -Psalm 139:14 We are each a unique individual created and loved by God. We have our own distinctive features, traits, quirks, idiosyncrasies, and personalities. We are totally dissimilar from anyone else. We are indeed an exotic species. Thank you, Jesus, for making me an "exotic species" within your kingdom. Amen.  "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20
Friends. Most of us have a flock of them. We gather for conversations, sharing, or just being present to each other. Some of our friends have personalities similar to ours; some are complete opposites. Some of our friends are from childhood; some we just met. We help each other, we pray for each other; we laugh together, we cry together. But when our flock of friends fly away, there is still only one true friend: Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for being my Best Friend. |
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